Waiters and Waitresses

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

Job Task

• Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.
• Collect payments from customers.
• Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
• Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
• Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
• Check patrons' identification in order to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
• Escort customers to their tables.
• Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
• Inform customers of daily specials.
• Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
• Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
• Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
• Serve food and/or beverages to patrons; prepare and serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
• Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.
• Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
• Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
• Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.
• Clean tables and/or counters after patrons have finished dining.
• Describe and recommend wines to customers.
• Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.

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